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DEAR HELOISE: I read the letter about the reader in Florida, who can no longer take baths. I have been in a wheelchair 25 years and have a solution for her. She can buy a bathtub lift chair online.
This powered chair lowers you gently down into the water and brings you up out of the water. It's miraculous and life-changing. I use the grab bars to get in and out of the tub and back into my wheelchair. You just have to charge the remote for a few hours, then it's good for about six baths before you have to charge it again. It's wonderful to be able to take a bath again.
I've now had this powered bath chair for about four years, and I haven't had any problems. Bear in mind that I can't walk or stand on my own. The chair raises me to the same height as my wheelchair, and I can just turn around and sit down on it. This could also be done with a stool or chair, or the person could have their walker at the ready.
Quite honestly, this is much safer for me since I can't walk into a shower to get onto a shower chair without assistance.
-- Linda, via email
DEAR HELOISE: In your column, there was a suggestion about making sure that your house key wasn't attached to your car key fob when leaving your car with a mechanic. The writer also mentioned locking their car when getting gas. I do all of this, but when I bought a new car, I had the fob programmed to only unlock the driver's door. Ask a mechanic if your fob can be reprogrammed if it's older. Lucky for me, the gas tank is on the same side as the driver's door.
-- Marilyn M., in St. Louis
DEAR HELOISE: My oil-rubbed bronze bathroom faucets have some green spots on them. I'm assuming that water droplets have caused this. What can I use to remove these spots?
-- Chris, in Dayton
Chris, try the following solution: Gently clean the faucet with a soft toothbrush and a mixture of warm water and dish soap. Avoid harsh chemicals, steel wool or any abrasive chemicals because these will strip the finish off. Dry the brass completely, then use a cotton ball with mineral oil or olive oil on it to lightly buff the green-spot area. This should restore the shine and add protection.
-- Heloise
DEAR HELOISE: I'm very allergic to pets. Even when there's no odor, if a pet has been in the room or on the bed, it causes problems for me. There are still some hotels that are pet-free, but not many. I always try to find one. If I'm not lucky in finding pet-free lodging, I try to find a hotel that restricts pets to the first floor.
Most hotels won't guarantee this, though. I've found that getting a room on the top floor, as far away from the elevator, is the best option. Thank you for addressing this concern.
-- Les P., via email
Heloise@Heloise.com
I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.
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